Near-death experiences: science finds it didn’t start with modern times

Death. A word that has always aroused respect and curiosity. Some fear it, others see it as a transition to another form of existence, others hope for an afterlife, while others are simply convinced that it is not followed by anything at all. But whatever our attitude towards it, one thing is certain – it is a subject that attracts us.

Our fascination with death is confirmed by so-called near-death experiences(NDEs). It is a phenomenon that has been with us from ancient times to the present day.

What are near-death experiences?

Near-death experiences are complex events, often with a mystical edge, that people describe in moments when they are faced with the end of their lives – whether in a serious accident, drowning, a fall, or clinical death. Modern science still has no clear explanation for them, but that does not detract from their power or mystery.

But what do such experiences look like? Surprisingly, they are very similar in many ways, regardless of the culture, religion, or time in which they took place. People often describe the following typical features:

• a sense of detachment from the body and floating above it
• absence of any pain
• a journey through a dark space
• a movement towards a blinding light
• crossing over to the “other side” and the desire to stay there
• entering a place reminiscent of paradise
• encounters with deceased persons or spiritual figures.

There is even a special Greyson Scale for scientific research on NDEs, which consists of several questions that help clinicians determine whether a near-death experience has indeed occurred.

Science and research

Near-death experiences have been studied extensively since the mid-20th century, and scientists are still trying to better understand them today. While neurophysiologists explain NDEs as the result of processes in the brain during dying – pointing out, among other things, that similar sensations can be triggered by hallucinogenic drugs – parapsychologists see them more as a spiritual manifestation.

The truth is, however, that this phenomenon is not just a matter of recent years. It has been recorded as far back as antiquity. Archaeologists have even found cave paintings in France and Spain that seem to depict these events, and historical and literary texts are full of stories that are chillingly reminiscent of modern accounts.

Let’s take a look at some of them together.

The Myth of Er (c. 375 BC)

The story of the Greek soldier Eros is described by the Greek philosopher Plato in his book The Constitution. Er died in battle, but woke up ten days later at the funeral pyre. In the meantime, his soul made its way to the afterworld, where it met the judges who decided the fate of each soul. While the good ones went to heaven, the bad ones headed for the underworld.

The Myth of Timarchus (46-119 AD)

The Greek historian Plutarch recorded the experience of one of Socrates’ disciples, Timarchus, who shut himself away in a crypt for two nights. He was mourned by those close to him, but when he returned he recounted his experience of the separation of soul and body, his descent into the underworld, and his encounter with a being who offered him a glimpse of his future. His story is thus one of the earliest records to include an element of “astral travel”.

Curma (c. 354-430 AD)

The Christian philosopher and theologian St. Augustine recorded the experience of the clerk Curma in his book Care of the Dead. He lay unconscious for several days, during which time he had visions of the afterlife, encounters with the dead, and the promise of paradise. On his return, he discovered that his namesake, Curma the ironmonger, had died. He interpreted this confusion as evidence that he had been “called by mistake”.

Venerable Nichizō (941 AD)

The Japanese monk Nichizō collapsed during a fever, which his companions pronounced death. However, he later described how he was accompanied by spirit guides, drank mountain water, visited heaven and hell, and witnessed judgments on souls. After thirteen days, he awoke back in the flesh.

Conclusion

These and many other stories show that NDEs are not an invention of modern times. People have encountered them from ancient times to the present, whether they were soldiers, monks, philosophers, or ordinary people.

Although we should read them with a certain amount of caution, as they may have been altered or even embellished over the years, their similarity to each other suggests that they contain something more. Above all, they are proof that the desire for knowledge of what lies beyond life has been deeply rooted in human nature since time immemorial.